Now in its sixth year, the Jasper Dark Sky Festival celebrates the wonder of one of the world’s largest dark sky preserves, an area kept free of artificial light pollution. Jasper received dark sky preserve designation in 2011.

As daylight hours begin to recede, October is the ideal time to celebrate the skies, according to the festival. Over the past few years, the festival has grown into a celebration over the course of two weekends during dark sky month, including speakers and activities that promote science, space and conservation.

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Other notable speakers at this year’s festival include scientist Bill Nye, best known for his educational television program Bill Nye the Science Guy, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.

Nye will present two shows – one on Friday, Oct. 14 and another on Saturday, Oct. 15. Hanson will speak on Saturday, Oct. 15 at Centennial Field.

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Takei will speak at the Jasper Dark Sky Festival on Friday, Oct. 21.

Tickets for the festival go on sale on Monday, July 4. For more information visit the Jasper Dark Sky Festival’s website.